Surprising findings about supporting-limb laminitis

A retrospective study shows that a variety of factors affect the incidence of this type of laminitis.

A British study suggests that the causes of supporting limb laminitis are poorly understood and in need of further investigation.

Supporting limb laminitis is thought to result from the overloading of a healthy limb when the injured one opposite it is unable to bear weight.

Triggered by a variety of systemic or mechanical factors, laminitis is an extremely painful, and potentially devastating, inflammation of the sensitive laminae of the hoof.

As the name suggests, supporting limb laminitis is thought to result from the overloading of a healthy limb when the injured one opposite it is unable to bear weight.

However, a case review of 65,327 horses admitted to Rossdales Equine Hospital in Newmarket between 2005 and 2013 suggests that the complication was not restricted to horses who had injuries preventing them from bearing weight on a limb, and it developed within a wide time frame: from four to 100 days after the initial injury. In addition, the researchers found that this type of laminitis is rare, with an overall prevalence of only .02 percent.

These findings, the researchers say, will make further epidemiological studies looking for risk factors “a logistical challenge.”

Reference: “Prevalence of supporting limb laminitis in a UK equine practice and referral hospital setting between 2005 and 2013: Implications for future epidemiological studies,” Veterinary Record, September 2014

This article first appeared in EQUUS issue #447

Don’t miss out! With the free weekly EQUUS newsletter, you’ll get the latest horse health information delivered right to your in basket! If you’re not already receiving the EQUUS newsletter, click here to sign up. It’s *free*!

CATEGORIES

TAGS

SHARE THIS STORY

Related Posts

edit 2
Antibiotics & your horse: What you should know
Gray horse head in profile on EQ Extra 89 cover
What we’ve learned about PPID
COVER EQ_EXTRA-VOL88
Do right by your retired horse
COVER EQ_EXTRA-VOL87
Tame your horse’s anxiety

NEWSLETTER

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Country*

Additional Offers

Additional Offers
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.